Method and apparatus for making can covers



Sept. 27, 1938. J. LEWIS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 27, 1938.

L. .L-EWiS 2,131,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVER S Filed July 5, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 27, 1938. J L, LEwls 2,131,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 27, 1938. 'JLLEWIS 2,131 057 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZZZ 22/ 2/7 2/5 2,14 zzz 2 2 f? g j/r .263 Z/ N.

Z/ ZZ ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1938; I w 2,131,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 Zz' fa? if; Z' zg-. Z4 1 1 I 244 1 2022/ P i 228 20/ p 2 24/ 274 2 2 27; 274 7% z; z; z z 2 I36 \\\\\\7 y 2/ z /44 232 Z/ /44 7V. ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1938 J. LEWIS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet .6

x M w ATI'ORN-EYS Sept. 27, 1938.

J. L. LEWIS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS Filed July 3, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet f7 Patented Sept. 27, 1938 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAN COVERS John L. Lewis, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as-

signor to American Can Company, New York, N. -Y., a. corporation of New Jersey Application July 3, 1934, Serial No. 733,666

13 Claims. (01. 113-1) The present invention relates to the art of manufacturing can covers and the like and has particular reference to the manner of uniting small pieces of sheet material into single units and of forming can covers from those units.

In the manufacture of can parts from sheet metal vast quantities of relatively small pieces of virgin stock are recovered as by-products. These individual pieces represent quite a waste of material if they cannot be used. Usually such pieces are too small for can parts such as can ends.

As an outstanding example of such manufacture and the production of relatively small pieces the operations of blanking and forming of round or oval can ends or other non-circular can parts may be cited. In one can end forming procedure, strips of metal are first cut from a sheet in accordance with a cutting layout known in the industry as a stagger layout and in this each strip is formed with wide and narrow parts which dove-tail into adjacent strips in the sheet. A stagger layout provides the greatest cutting efficiency for a given size of sheet.

In such a layout there is always a waste space at one or both ends of alternate strips which is too small for the can end of that size. These end pieces are known as recovery pieces and occur in great numbers. It is to the using of such recovery pieces by uniting them for the production of multiple-part full size can ends that the present invention is particularly adapted.

It might be mentioned that a multiple-part can end formed in this manner is satisfactory for cans containing certain products such as granulated or powdery materials which do not have to be hermetically sealed. There is a large field of use for cans of this kind for scouring powder and the like.

The invention therefore contemplates the permanent joining together of a plurality of recovery pieces or the like to make blanks and further contemplates the forming of can ends or the like therefrom. The invention also contemplates an eflicient and economical manner of forming these blanks and can ends in an organized mechanism which automatically brings a plurality of the pieces together, and unites them into a single blank and which forms a can end from the blank.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a method of forming can ends or the like from a blank comprising a plurality of united smaller pieces of sheet material.

Another object of the invention is they provision of a method of joining together a plurality of small pieces of sheet material to provide a single blank of sufficient area from which a can end or the like may be formed.

A further object is the provision of a method of simultaneously preparing marginal edges of a plurality of'pieces of sheet material for interlocking engagement prior to their being united into a single blank, I

Another object is the provision of a method of 10 interlocking and uniting previously prepared marginal edges of a plurality of pieces of. sheet material to form. a single blank.

A still further object is the provision of a. method of forming a multi-part sheet metal blank 15 and can end in an organized mechanism which automatically brings together a plurality of small pieces of sheet metal, which unites them into a single blank and which forms a can'end from the blank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a composite sheet metal blank of greater strength and comparative rigidity against bending, by forming such blank with one or more lines at which the blank is provided with four thicknesses 5 of said sheet metal.

Numerous other objects and advantages of th invention will be apparent as-it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a" preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are top plan views of an apparatus for carrying out the method steps of the 35 present invention, Fig. 2, being a continuation of the right hand end of Fig. 1 with parts of both figures broken away and parts of Fig. 1 shown in section; I

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged transverse sectional views taken substantially along the respective lines 3-3, 44, 55 and 65 in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 being shown with its movable parts in raised position, the section line :c:c shown the-rein indicating where the line of section of 5 Fig. 1 is viewed as to the parts adjacent the section line 33 of that figure, but Fig. 1 shows the operating parts in lowered position and thus differs fromFig. 3, whereas the section line yy in Fig. 4 indicates where the line of section of 50 Fig. 1 is taken as to the parts adjacent the section line 4-4 of that figure;

Figs. '7 and 8 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views showing diflerent positions of the oscillating or edging member illustrated in Fig. 6; 55

drawings.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 9--9 in Fig. 1;

Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive, are fragmentary sectional views of the central part of Fig. 9 illusstrating different positions of the moving parts shown therein;

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line I5-I5 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged transverse sectionalview taken substantially along the broken line I6-l6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly shown in section of a can end produced according to the method steps of the present invention;

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of the skeleton scrap part of the blank remaining after thec'utting, forming and removal of the can end; and

Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are fragmentary elevations showing different positions of the blank holding and scrap ejecting devices illustrated in Fig. 16, a part of Fig. 22 being shown in section and all of the views being at a slightly reduced scale from that of Fig. 16. p

The method steps of the present invention are best carried out in an organized apparatus, the principal parts of which are illustrated in the In these steps two recovery pieces are simultaneously fed in a step by step movement in a straight line. of travel through a. series of stations. These stations are indicated in the drawings by capital letters and comprise a feed- 7 ing station A, a trimming station B, a notching station C,.a transverse feeding station D, an edging station E, an assembling station F and a forming station G.

At the station A the recovery pieces or blank sections enter the apparatus in spaced parallel relation and engage parallel guide bars located on opposite sides. A feeding device comprising reciprocating feed bars engages behind the blank sections and advance them from the station A to the trimming station B. At this latter station the sections are arranged on each side of a gauging and trimming device and gauge fingers operate outwardly to align the sections against the guide bars. A trimming die'then descends from above and cuts or trims opposing inner marginal edgesof the sections.

After this operation the vfeeding device again advances the trimmed blank sections, this time into the notching station C where the sections are arranged on opposite sides of a notching device. This device descends and cuts out notches in the ends of the trimmed edges of the blank sections.

The feeding device new advances the notched sections to the station D where one section is engaged by a cross slide. This cross slide transversely moves the section toward the other section so that both are brought closer together.

At the next forward movement of the feeding device both notched sections are conveyed into the edging station E, where their opposing mar ginal edges are arranged adjacentto and on either side of an oscillating edging tool. Oscillation of this tool bends the marginal edges into oppositely formed hooks.

Following this step the. edged blank sections are moved forward into the assembling station F. .At this station the sections are positioned on rising tables arranged on opposite sides of a pair of bumping elements. These tables are then elevated, one slightly above the other. A transverse slide associated with one of the tables first engages the lowermost of the two lifted sections and moves it beneath the other section, the hook or edged ends passing each other. 1

A second transverse slide associated with the other table now moves forward and engages the hooked edge of the lower section and shifts it back toward its original position. In doing so the hooked edge of the lower section looks with the hooked edge of the upper section and both sections are then carried transversely to the 1 center of the station. This leaves the interlocked marginal edges of the sections between the bumping elements. Actuation of these elements which die. mechanism in cutting out, forming and embossing a can end. This leaves the scrap skeleton ontopof the die and still held by the fingers.

As "the punch rises on its return stroke, the can end is automatically ejected from the apparatus.

The holding fingers then remove the scrap pieces which are no longer united and eject them into any suitable place of deposit.

A preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the method steps of the invention comprises ports the working parts located at most of the various stations. This framev 2| carries spaced tablemembers 23; 24 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) which provide support for recovery pieces or blank sections a of sheet material, these pieces constituting the work for cutting and bending operatio-ns which take place in the manufacture of can ends. The particular form of recovery piece (1 shown in the drawings has a straight guiding ,edge b, a substantially parallel edge 0 and connecting irregular end edges d.

The table member 23 is secured to and extends throughout the full length of the frame 2| and the table member 241s similarly secured and extends just beyond the station C or approximately one half of the frame length. The'two members are parallelto each other andare located adjacent to the edges of the-frame.

Two blank sections or recoveries a are simultaneously brought into the apparatus at the sta-' tion A in any suitable manner as by a reciprocating feeding device generally indicated bythe numeral 28. At this station the blank sections are supported on the table members 23,25 with their inner edges c projecting onto the top surface of a plate 3|. This plate is interposed between the table members leaving longitudinal slots 32 for the feeding device. -The top of the plate 3| is flushi with the top of the table members and is countersunk in a recess .33 formed in the top of the frame 2|.

The'two associated blank sections are simultaneously fed longitudinally over the table members and over the plate in a straight line path of travel and through the various stations. The feeding device 25 effects this advancement in a step by step movement.

Feeding device 26 comprises a pair of spaced -35 in part a long narrow main frame 2| which supparallel feed bars 35, 36 (Figs. land 3) which are ,15

simultaneously reciprocated in any well known manner and in time with the other parts of the mechanism. Each bar 35, 36 slides upon the top of the frame 2! and is held against vertical displacement in the openings 32 by overhanging ex tensions 38, 39 projecting laterally from adjacent vertical edges of the table members and plate respectively. Pivoted feed dogs 4| are mounted on pins 22 secured in the respective feed bars 35, 36 and normally extend up for engagement with the rear edges (1 (left hand edge as viewed in Fig. 1) of associated blank sections a.

During the transfer of the blank sections through the first two operating stations they are guided along with their outer edges b against guide bars 44, 45 secured on top of the respective table members 23, 24. These guide bars extend the full length of the table members on which they are mounted.

In the first forward advance of the feed bars 35, 36, the two blank sections are moved from the station A into the station B where they pass one on each side of a trimming device generally indicated by the numeral 46 (Figs. 1 and 3) Before the trimming action takes place at this station and on the return stroke of the feed bars, gauging instrumentalities operate on the inner edges c of the two blank sections and square up or align their outer edges 11 against the guide bars M, 35.

This alignment is effected by a pair of cam actuated levers 41 the forward ends of which are disposed in slots 48 formed in the plate 31. The two levers are in a plane below the blank sections and are pivoted on a stud 49 which is secured in the top of the plate 3|. Each lever at its rear end carries a cam roller 5| and these rollers engage opposite sides of a continually rotating cam 52. The cam 52 is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 53 which is j ournaled in and carried by the plate 3!. Cam and shaft are rotated in any suitable manner. A tension spring 53 is interposed between the rear arms of levers 4! adjacent the cam rollers and this insures proper engagement between rollers and cam.

The levers cross each other at the rear or beyond their pivot stud in scissor fashion. A vertical extension 55 is formed at the forward end of each lever and extends up above the plane of the blank sections a each extension engaging the center of the edge 0 of a blank section during the gauging action just described. An element of the trimming device 46 now descends from above on the gauged blank sections and shears off a trim alongside of each 0 edges, reducing the blanks to a predetermined width with a new trimmed edge e and making opposed side edges 1) and 6 parallel.

The trimming element comprises an inverted U-shaped plunger having depending side walls 6| (Fig. 3) and a top connecting wall 62. The depending walls slide within grooves 63 formed in end walls as of a rectangular block section 65 which is preferably an integral part of the plate 3! and which extends up above the plane of travel of the blank sections passing through the machine.

The trimming plunger is vertically reciprocated in time with the other operating parts of the mechanism and for this purpose is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 61. A reduced upper end of the shaft passes through the plunger wall 62 and is secured in position by a locknut 68. The shaft 6? slides in the block 65 and also extends notched out to hold a hardened steel trimming T or shearing blade 1|. Cooperating with these blades, when the plunger moves down, are stationary blades 12 secured in notches 13 formed in the plate 3| and in the outer edge walls of its slots 48. 7

Each scrap or trim as soon as it is severed from the blank section falls through the slot 48 (Fig. 3) into a connecting inclined slot I5 cut through the frame 2| and from thence the scrap pieces are discharged from the mechanism. Ask

the plunger is raised on its return stroke following the trimming operation stripper plates 14 which are secured to the end walls 64 of the block 65 hold the trimmed blank sections against upward displacement. thereupon further advanced bythe feeding device 26 into the notching station C.

At this station the blank sections are supported on the table members 23, 24 and also on a plate 8! (Figs. 1 and 4) which is similar in cross-section to the plate 3! and. which also has a fiat top surface flush with the tops of the table members. This plate is secured within the countersunk recess 33 of the frame and is provided with vertical side edges and overhanging extensions 82. which cooperate with the extensions 38 in the table members for further guid ing the feed bars 35, 36.

Both blank sections are held against outward transverse displacement while at the station by' the guide bars 44, 45 and at their inner edges by short guide bars 83. The short guide bars are mounted in hardened steel die blocks se cured in countersink recesses 86 formed in the top of the plate 8|. blocks 85 one on each side underlying the inner marginal zone of a blank section adjacent its trimmed edge e. Die openings 88 having cutting edges 89 are formed in each end of each die block 85 and these cutting edges are in vertical alignment with and beneath the inner corners of the positioned blank sections as they lie in station C.

Four vertically movable punches 92 are positioned inside of the corners and extend above the blank sections each punch having a lower stepped end which extends down into one of the die openings 88. One of the steps or shoulders in the punch end constitutes a cutting edge 93 which cooperates with its associated cutting edge 89 of the die block when the punch moves down for the notching operation.

Each punch 92 is square in cross-section and moves within a slide groove 95 formed in a cap 93. sides of a block section 9'! which like the section 65 of the plate 3| is preferably an integral part of the plate 8!.

At their upper ends the punches 92 are formed with round threaded shanks 93 each shank being threadedly and adjustably secured in a grooved nut 99 disposed within a T slot I9! formed in a head plate I32. There are four of these slots one on each corner of the plate. By turning the nut 99 on the shank its punch 92 may be vertically adjusted at will so that there may be had a desired vertical relation between the cut edges 93 and 89. After adjustment this relation is maintained by a locknut H13.

All four punches 92 are simultaneously lowered The blank sections are There are two of these die There are two such caps bolted on oppositetop surface of this and raised for the notching operation by a down and up movement of the head plate I02. This plate I02 is secured to the upper shouldered end of a vertical shaft I 05 and is held in position by a locknut I06. Shaft I05 slides in a bearing I61 formed in the block 91 and in a hub I08 formed on the bottom of the frame 2I. Like the shaft 61 of station E, shaft I extends below the hub where it may connect with any suitable operating means imparting the proper timed reciprocation.

As the head plate I02 and punches 92 move down. the cutting edges 93, 89 first engage the corners of the blank sections between them and then sever the engaged parts from the rest of the blank. This action converts the two blank sections a into notched blank sections 1 and g each section having corner notches h (Fig. 1). The cut out corners fall through the openings 88 into larger openings III formed in the plate 8I and thence through connecting openings II 2 in the frame 2I thus discharging from the apparatus. During the upward or return movement of the punches which immediately follows the caps 96 serve to strip the blank sections from the punches.

The next forward movement of the feeds bars 35, 36 carries both blank sections 1, a forward into the station D. The blank sections are in no way altered at this station but the blank is moved transversely or closer to the blank g as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. During the forward advance from the station C the outer edges b of the blank sections move along the bars 44, \8;v4hile their inner edges e are guided by the bars The trimmed and notched edge e of the section a, as it enters the station D, passes into a guide bar H5 which is mounted in a groove II6 cut longitudinally in the top of a plate H1. The plate is flush with the top of the table members 23, 24 and supports both of the pieces f and g.

The plate II1 like the plates 3|, SI of the preceding stations rests within the recess 33 of the frame and its vertical edge adjacent the table member 23 is provided with an overhanging extension I I8 for guiding the feed bar 35 at this station. This plate H1 is narrower than the plates 3|, BI and is located to one side of the recess 33, a spacer block II9 being used to fill the space on the other side.

As the blank section piece 1 moves into the station D, it leaves both guide bars 45, 84 which terminate short of the station, and passes with its outer portion on top of a cross-slide I2I. Its edge b thereupon engages and moves along a guide bar I22 while its notched edge e passes free of any guides. This guide bar is secured to the top of the cross-slide I2I and during its guiding action is in alignment with and forms a continuation of the guide bar 45. It is the cross-slide with its guide bar that carries the blank section transversely across the table members and closer to the blank section 9.

This is effected by movement of the cross-slide in any suitable manner as through a connecting rod I25, pivotally secured on a shaft I26 mounted in hubs I21 formed in the slide. The slide is provided with laterally projecting tongues I28 (Fig. 5) adjacent its bottom which move within grooves I29 formed in a slide-way I3I (Fig. 1) cut in the top of the table member 24.

Cross movement of the slide carries the blank section 1 over the top of the plate I I1 and brings;

tion to be moved forward into the edging station E for the next operation.

For this next step advancement a new feed bar I36carrying spacedpivoted dogs I31 is provided for engagement with the blank section The bar I36 is secured to the forward end of the bar 36 by a spacer block I38 (Fig. 5) and in its action may be considered as an offset continuation. of the bar 36. It is actuated by the bar 36 and is guided along one side by a vertical edge of the plate I I1 and is held down under an overhanging extension I39.

During the forward advance movement, the inner notched edges e of both blank sections pass beyond the influence of the guide bars I I5, I33 and enter grooves formed in opposite sides of an edging tool (Figs. 1 and 6). The outer edge of blank g is still held against the guide bar 44. The outer edge of blank ,1 upon leaving the bar I22 passes alongside of a guide I43 which is parallel to the bar 44.

At station E the blank section g is supported in part on the table member 23 and in part on a; cooperating plate I44. This plate is disposed within a recess I45 formed in the top of the frame 2| and its top surface is flush with the top of the table member. It is provided with a shouldered vertical edge I 46 which cooperates with the edge of the table member in guiding the feed bar 35.

On the opposite side of the station the blank section 1 is supported in part on the plate I44 and in part on another table member I48 which is secured to the top of the frame 2|. This table member is formed with a shouldered vertical inner edge I 5I which cooperates with a shouldered vertical edge I53 formed in the plate I44 for guiding the feed bar I36.

The blank sections f, g in coming into the station E pass between upper and lower stationary edging bars with their inner edges e slightly projecting beyond these bars (Fig. 6). The edging bars comprise parallel lower bars I55, I56 which are secured within shelf-like notches I51 cut in opposite sides of a semi-circular longitudinal channel or depression I58 centrally formed in the top of the plate I 44. Upper parallel bars I6I, I62 are secured in similar notches I63 out in head members I64 of pivoted levers I65 which are mounted on short horizontal shafts I66 held within brackets I61 bolted to opposite sides of the frame 2|.

The blank sections g are clamped between these edging bars during the edging operation. This clamping action is effected by lowering of a pivoted clamping block I1I which rests but lightly on top of the lever head members I 64 when the blank sections are passing in between the separated edging bars I55, I6I and I56, I62. This clamping block is mounted on a pin I12 secured in the lower end of a link I13 which may be actuated in any suitable manner and in proper time with the other working parts of the mechanism.

In this clamped position the projecting edges e of the blank sections extend into the grooves fit at the bottom within wedge shaped notches I19 formed in a tool block I8I. A clamp I82 is bolted to the top of the block by a cap screw I83 and the sides of the clamp engage on the top: of the dovetail of the edging bars holding the parts of the tool as an assembled unit.

In the edging operation the edging tool is oscillated first in one direction and then in the reverse direction. For this purpose the block I8I- is formed with end trunnions I85 (Fig. l) which are journaled in bearings I86 projected upwardly from the top of the plate I44. This oscillation is brought about by a lever I81 (Figs. 1 and 6) one end of which is secured to one of the trunnions I85 while its opposite end is connected to a link I88 communicating with any suitable operating means.

The lever I87 first turns the edging tool in a counterclockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 7. In so doing a longitudinal projection iQI formed on the upper corner of the face of edging bar H6 and a similar projection I92 formed on the lower corner of the bar Ill come into engagement with the overhanging edges e of the respective clamped blank sections 9 and 7 and as the tool turns further these projections bend or wipe the edges of the blank sections in opposite directions over anvil extensions I93, Hi l formed on the inner edges of lower and upper bars E55, iBZ. At the completion of this movement the edge of the blank section g projects downwardly and the edge of the section f projects upwardly as in Fig. 7.

The edging tool now completes its oscillation by reverse movement in a clockwise direction, this time bringing into play a longitudinal projection I85 (Fig. 8) formed at the bottom corner of the face of edging bar I16 and a similar projection I96 formed in the upper corner of the bar ill. This bends or edges the blank sections so that the blank section 1 has an upstanding hooked edge Z and is formed into a new edged blank section 7' while the section 9 has a depending hooked edge m converting it into a new edged blank section it.

The edging tool moves into its original position (Fig. 6) following the edging operation and the block i'ii releases its clamping action freeing the edged blank sections 7', k. The feed bars 35, E36 thereupon advance these sections into the assembling station F where the hooked blank edges Z, m are interlocked and permanently united in a lock and lap seam.

In passing into the station F, the blank sections leave the support of the table members 23. I43 and the plate IM and come to rest on top of vertically movable tables 261, 2512 (Figs. 1 and 9 to 15 inclusive). Both tables overhang the plate ltd and the latter, together with the frame 2| have their top surfaces cut away or lowered at 203 for this purpose.

While moving on to table 2M (Fig. 2) the blank section 7' is guided along its edge 17 by two short guide bars 204 secured to the table, while the blank section Zc is similarly guided with its edge b adjacent a guide bar 265 secured to the top of its table 282. The inner hooked edges of the sections at such time pass along a stepped guide block 20 5 which is centrally located on the top of the plate I44, the edge Z being guided by a shoulder 28'! of the block while the hook m is guided along a groove 208.

immediately after the blank sections are in position at station F, the tables 2llI, 202 are raised into the position shown in Fig. 10, where the blank sections are above and free of the block 206. This elevating of the tables is effected by a pair of edge cams (Fig. 9) located above the tables, there being one cam for each table.

Each table is carried on the lower end of a slide 2H which is mounted for vertical movement in a guideway formed in a suitable frame part 2I2. Each slide is cut through in a rectangular opening 2I3 and an edge disc cam 2I l is located in the opening, being eccentrically secured to and moved by a horizontal shaft 2I5 extending through the slide.

The cam 2M and its shaft 2 I5 may be actuated in any suitable manner so that its movement is in time with the other working movements of the machine. The cam periphery is tangentially engaged at all times by the horizontal walls of the slide opening and by reason of the eccentricity of the cam surface each complete rotation of the shaft 2l5 effects a. raising and lowering of the table slide and table associated therewith.

The cam 2M for the table 292 is preferably larger or has a greater eccentric throw than the other cam so that the table 262 carries the blank 2 section k to a higher horizontal position than the section 7' occupies at the end of its lifting movement. This is shown in Fig. 10. This permits a better interlocking action when the hooked edges Z and m are brought together as will be later described.

During this lifting of the two blank sections, they engage and lift spring pressed vertical presser feet ZI'I which hold the blanks against displacement while being elevated. Each presser foot slides within a slot 2I8 formed in oneside of a stationary head block 2I9 which is suitably suspended over the tops of the tables in any suitable manner.

Notched caps 22I are secured to the sides of the head block and these hold the presser feet in their slide mountings, the notched part of each cap co-operating with an enlarged head 222 formed on the top end of each presser foot for limiting its downward movement. These presser foot heads are backed up by springs223, disposed within bores 224 formed in the head block, and provide the proper holding pressures on the blank sections.

While the tables are in their raised positions, the edge I) of the blank section 7' is engaged and the blank is moved by a notched lug 221 (Figs. 2 and 9) formed as an integral part of a crossslide 228 which now moves in toward the center of the station. This slide movement carries the blank section :i under the higher blank section is its hook Z passing by the hook in of the higher blank (Fig. 11). 1

The cross-slide 228 is interposed between the short guide bars 204 and slides within a slot 229 out in the table 2%. It is moved by the rocking of a bell crank lever ZSI which is mounted on a horizontal shaft 232 suitably journaled in the frame of the machine. One leg of this lever is secured to a link 233 by means of which it may be actuated in any suitable manner. The other leg carries a pin 234 on which is mounted a roller 235 which operates in a vertical slot 236 out in a depending lug 23'! formed integrally with the cross slide. The cross slide may be formed with horizontal side tongues 238 to provide an easier sliding movement in the table 20! and these tongues slide within grooves 239 out in the side walls of the slot 229.

'A similar cross-slide 2M (Fig. 9) is disposed in a slot 242 formed in the table 202. This slide is now actuated to first interlock the overlapping hooked edges of the blank sections by bringing the hook I of section 7' against the hook m of the upper section and then both blank sections are moved into the position of Fig. 12. Slide 228 has been retracted by that time.

Slide 241 is formed with a depending lug 243 and may also be formed with horizontal side tongues 244 which have easy sliding movement within grooves 245 out in the sides of the table slot 242. The depending lug is formed with a slot 246 which engages a roller 241 mounted on a pin 248 carried in the end of one leg of a bell crank lever 249. This lever is mounted on a horizontal shaft 251 suitably journaled in the frame of the mechanism. Its free leg is secured to the end of a link 252 by means of which it may be actuated in any suitable manner.

The forward end of the cross-slide 241 is formed with a beveled notch 254 which provides the proper slide engagement for the hook I as just described. During this slide movement a plunger 255, journaled in the head block 219, moves down and rests lightly on the blank section The lowermost or engaging end of the plunger is cut away in a notch 256 which has a flat vertical wall 251. This wall cooperates with the notch 254 of the slide 241 and acts as a gauge for locating the interlocked hooks l, m directly over the center of the guide block 206, as shown in Fig. 12. The cross-slide 241 can now recede but the plunger pressing the blank section :1 down on top of the guide block holds the hooks together and this in turn also holds the other blank is against movement.

A longitudinal slot 258 (Figs. 12 and 15) is formed in the center of the guide block and therefore comes directly under the interlocked hooks. This slot communicates with a similar slot 259 formed in the plate 144. A bumping hammer 261 is located and has vertical movement Within these slots, this hammer having a depending stem 262 which slides in a bearing 263 formed in the bottom of the frame 21. Stem 262 is connected with and is actuated by any suitable source of power. The top of hammer 261 is cut across in a longitudinal groove 265.

A longitudinally disposed anvil 266 is carried in the stationary head block 219 and in a groove 261 cut in the bottom of the block. The notch 256 of the plunger 255 allows the latter to clear the anvil. The hammer 261 the interlocked blank sections and with a. pressing action squeezes the interlocked hooks closer together partly forcing them into the hammer groove 265 as the adjacent metal bends. This permanently locks the sections in a joint 11. as shown in Fig. 13 and forms a composite blank 10 having a smooth top surface and with its joint n projecting from the under side.

Following the completion of the assembling operation the cross slides 228, 241 back off and the composite blank pis then removed from station F by feed dogs 211 pivotally secured in feed bars 212. The feed bars 212 move in corner grooves 213 (Figs. 9 and 13) formed in the upper part of the plate 144 and are secured to the forward ends of the bars 35, 136 by bolts passed through spacer blocks 214. The bars 212 are thus actuated by the main feeding devices 26.

The blank p is thus moved from station F an its forward end is inserted in curved spaced tracks or grooves 215 (Figs. 2 and 15) formed in a pair of curved track bars 216 the upper ends is raised against of which aresupported on the forward end of the frame 2|. The lower ends are supported in. the forming press at station G. In passing into the grooves the blank engages and depresses a beveled spring held pin 211 carried in the top end of a transfer lever arm 218. Arm 218 is pivoted on a shaft 219 which is supported in any suitable manner and is then swung forward to sweep the blank into station G the arm being actuated by any suitable means as through a link 281. The upper end of the arm is provided with a bore 282 in which an enlarged head 283 of the spring pressed pin 211 is carried. A spring 285 is interposed between the bottom of this bore and the pin head and a. perforated nut 286 encircles the pin and is threadedly secured to the end of the arm.

At the station G the blank is brought to rest against a stop block 289 (Figs. 1 and 15) where it is centrally positioned over an inclined die 291 carried on a press frame 292 of the punch blanking and forming press. In this position it is between guide blocks 293 (see also Fig. 16). There are two of these guide blocks, one on each side of the die, their inner faces being in alignment with the grooves 215 of the track bars 216. Each guide block is supported on an exterior beveled edge 294 of the die adjacent a cut edge 295 and rests on a die base 296, being secured to this base by screws 291.

Clamping members are used for engaging and holding the blank in located position for a can end blanking and forming operation. These clamping members comprise in part four lower fingers 301 (Figs. 16 and 19) which are located in pairs on opposite sides of the die each pair straddling one of the guide blocks 293. The fingers on each side project from a vertical head member 302 which is an integral part of a lever 303 (Fig. 1).

Each lever 303 is mounted on a vertical rock shaft 304which is journaled in a bracket 305 extending from the frame of the press. The rock shafts may be connected with any suitable source of power and are actuated in proper time to move the fingers 301 into engagement with the blank when it comes into place. It is also desirable that the lever 303, its rock shaft 304 and the fingers be raised for a purpose hereinafter described. Each finger 301 is formed with a notch 301 which is cut in the top and end of the finger.

Other parts of the clamping members comprise pivoted upper fingers 308 which cooperate with the lower fingers 301 to positively clamp the blank in position between them. Each upper finger 308 is pivoted above its associated lower finger 301 on a stud 309. Each stud is secured in a lug 311 formed as a part of the head member 302 and the lug extends into a recess 312 formed in the upper finger as shown in Fig. 22. The forward end of each upper finger is provided with a depending projection 313 which fits within the notch 301 of the lower finger as shown in Fig. 20. The rear end of the upper finger extends up in a substantially vertical leg 314.

The leg 314 is engaged near its top end by a round nosed spring barrel 315 (Fig. 16) having a hollow opening 316 and slidably fitting within a bore 311 formed in its head member 302. A spring 318 is held within the hollow of the barrel and is interposed between its end and a nut 319 threadedly engaged in the back end of the bore 311. This spring transmits pressure on the finger leg and through it to the clamping projection 313.

With the upper finger projections 3 3 thus held tightly against the notched ends of the lower fingers, both head members are moved toward each other the blank a at such time resting in its centralized position over the inclined die 29!. The inner cooperating corners of the fingers 30!, 308 are beveled and as the head members move from the position of Fig. 19 into that of Fig. 20 the outer edges b of the blank pass into the lower finger notches 30'! and slightly rocking the upper fingers on their pivots move under the projections 3!3. The blank is thus clamped simultaneously in four places, two on each side of the die.

The punch and die mechanism at station G is of suitable construction for making the desired can end. A punch 32! is illustrated (Figs. 15 and 16) as having a hub 322 which may be connected to the reciprocating press slide as is usual in press construction. The punch is formed with a cutting edge 324 which cooperates with the die cut edge 295 as the punch descends upon the blank to cut out a circular disc from the center part of the held blank. 'I"nis constitutes an initial step in a blanking and can end forming operation. The scrap pieces remaining after removal of the disc (designated by the letter T, Fig. 18) are still held on topof the die by the clamping fingers (Fig. 20).

In the further step of can end forming the cutout disc is pushed down by the descending punch 32! against a draw ring 326 (Fig. 16) This draw ring may be suitably supported on vertically disposed pins 32'! which slide in bores formed in the press frame 292. This is a usual die construciion, the support pins 32'? being yieldingly supported in suitable manner.

The draw ring is depressed by the descending punch and together the disc and ring move down andthe disc comes into engagement with the top of a stationary anvil 328 located inside of the die 29!. Anvil 328 is supported on the press frame 292. A punch ring 33! is slidably mounted inside of the punch being carried on an independently movable part as more fully explained in the following paragraph, and by the time the disc strikes the top of the anvil 328, it has moved down relative to the punch being actuated by its independently movable mounting, that is in addition to its descent with the punch, so that its lower surface engages the disc directly above its supporting anvil contact.

The punch ring 33! is enlarged at its lower end 332 and the outside wall of this enlarged part slides within a cylindrical wall 333 and its upper part is similarly mounted to slide inside a second cylindrical wall 330 both walls being formed in the punch. The upper part of the punch ring is formed as a spider with spaces 335 between its arms and with a center boss 336. The punch ring is supported on and actuated by a vertical shaft 33'! which is slidably mounted in the hub 322 of the punch 32! and its lower end is threadedly engaged in the ring boss 336.

This is common die practice and independently movable punches and punch rings must necessarily be used where there is a multiple action of the die parts. The punch is usually actuated by a crank connection and the punch ring in such cases is usually controlled by a cam action so that the punch and punch ring can be made to work together through a part of the operating stroke and then independently as in the present instance.

A forming anvil 338 is disposed within the ring 33! and is carried in the punch 32!. It is provided with feet 339 which extend up through the spaces 335 between the spider arms of the ring. The top of the feet engage the interior,

top wall of the punch and bolts 34! secure punch and anvil together as a unit. The lower face of anvil 338 is suitably embossed at 342 with the particular design of the can end to be drawn and is a counterpart of a panel configuration 343 formed in the top of the stationary anvil'328.

The descending punch parts forcing the draw ring 326 down'as has just been described temporarily hold the disc 10 between the lower face of the enlarged section 332 of the punch ring 33! and the upper face of the stationary anvil 328. This holding action is in the nature of a slip grip for the blank which allows for the embossing and drawing action of the panel parts 342, 343 of the anvil members 338, 328. The movable anvil 338 at the end of its descent bottoms into a depression 344 formed in the upper part of the stationary anvil.

At the same time the outer peripheral edge of the disc is bent or drawn over the upper and outer corners of the stationary anvil as the edge slips out from between the punch 32! and the draw ring 326. This provides an outer or started curl flange s for the formed can end t as illustrated in Fig. 17. The stationary anvil 328 is also provided with a transverse groove 345 (Fig. 16) in which the lock joint n is seated.

Following the can end forming operation and as the punch 32! and parts carried thereby move up and away from the lowerdie member the drawn can end i sticks inside of the punch until it is ejected by movement between the punch ring 33! and the punch 32!. The independent actuation of punch and punch ring referred to above which is a usual form of operation in die mechanism, permits this knock-out movement of the punch ring. The ejected cover thereupon falls into a chute 35! (Fig. 15) which is secured to the press apparatus and is located adjacent the punch and die parts.

When the can end t has been thus ejected the scrap pieces 1', still held in the clamping fingers 30!, 308, are ejected in the following manner. These scrap pieces are no longer joined together for during the cutting of the. disc from the composite blank 1) in the initial step of the blanking and can end forming operation already fully described, the lock joint which held the two parts of the blank together was entirely cut-out with the disc, leaving the scrap pieces r merely abutting as held adjacent to each other by the clamping fingers.

Accordingly when these fingers move up, this being effected by lifting of the levers 303 and their supporting rock shafts 304, into the. position of Fig. 21 following the end forming operation and thence out or away from each other as in Fig. 22, the two pieces are brought into a position which is outside of the die elements. Each scrappiece is then positively ejected from the clamping fingers 30!, 308 by a device best illustrated in Figs. 16 and 22.

Each lower finger 30! is formed with a horizontal bore 353 and a spring pressed pin 354 is slidably located in this bore. Each pin 354 is normally spring held with its inner end back of the slot 30'! of the finger. A collar 355 is formed on the pin and has sliding movement within an enlarged horizontal bore 356 also formed in the finger, and connectingat its forward end with the smaller bore 353. A spring 35'! is disposed between the forward end of the collar and the inner a threaded nut 358 which is secured in the. finger and which closes OK the rear end of the larger 53-; bore.

-frame or otherwise and holds the pins against When the fingers 39!, 398 move back and separate the scrap pieces (Fig. 22), the rear end of each pin 354 strikes against a stationary part 359 which may be suitably supported on the press further movement while the fingers still move back. This strips off the skeleton pieces from the clamping fingers which thereupon fall by gravity into side discharge chutes 36! (Figs. 2 and 22) which are disposed on the two sides of the punching die mechanism.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be appar- :ent that various changes may be made in, the

form, construction, and arrangement of parts of the apparatus mentioned herein and in the steps and their order of accomplishment of the process described herein, without departing from the gszgspirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the apparatus and process hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of making multi-part substantially fiat can ends which comprises preparing a marginal edge of each of a plurality of sheet material blank sections for a bending operation, bending said marginal edges at an angle to the surface of each blank section and in opposite directions for interlocking engagement, bringing said blank sections together, interlocking said bent marginal edges, permanently uniting said edges to form a single composite blank having radial joints of four thicknesses of sheet metal to strengthen the blank against bending, and cutting out and forming a can end from said blank.

2. The method of making multi-part can ends which comprises simultaneously conveying two fiat sheet material blank sections along parallel paths, successively trimming and notching a marginal edge of each, transversely conveying said trimmed and notched sections toward each other, further conveying the sections in unison along -parallel paths, bending their notched marginal edges into angular form, interlocking the same, compressing said interlocked edges to unit the blank sections into a single composite substantially flat blank, conveying said composite blank to can end forming instrumentalities, and then cutting and forming a can end from said composite blank.

3. The method of making multi-part can ends by a continuously operating coordinated mechanism, which comprises conveying two separate fiat sheet material blank sections and passing them individually through a series of separate substantially identical operations in which a marginal edge of each blank section is prepared for interlocking engagement, assembling and permanently uniting the prepared marginal edges of said sections into a single substantially flat blank, conveying said united blank to can end forming instrumentalities, and cutting out and forming a substantially flat can end from said blank.

4. An organized apparatus for making substantially fiat multi-part can ends comprising means for shaping a marginal edge of each of two sheet material blank sections for interlocking engagement, feeding devices for conveying sheet material blank sections through a series of operating stations, means for interlocking said shaped edges, bumping elements for pressing said interlocked edges together to form a flat composite blank, and can end forming instrumentalities for producing a substantially fiat can end from said blank.

5. An organized apparatus for making substantially flat multi-part can ends comprising edging means for forming oppositely disposed hooks on a marginal edge of each of two fiat sheet material blank sections, means for arranging said blank sections with said hooked marginal edges opposite each other in edge to edge relation, means for interlocking said hooked edges, bumping elements for permanently uniting said blank sections into a single fiat composite blank, and forming instrumentalities for forming a substantially fiat can end from said composite blank.

6. In an organized apparatus for making substantially flat multi-part can ends the combination of feeding devices for conveying two separate flanged sheet material blank sections to an assembling station in edge to edge relation, ele-' ments at said assembling station for uniting the marginal edges of said blank sections to provide a single composite blank, transfer means for moving said single blank into a can end forming station, and instrumentalities at said forming station for forming a substantially flat can end of single thickness from said blank.

'7. In an organized apparatus for making multipart can ends the combination of feeding devices for conveying two separate sheet material blank sections individually'through a series of substantially identical marginal edge preparing operations and into an assembling station, elements at said assembling station for permanently uniting the prepared edges of said blank sections to form a single blank, transfer means for moving said single blank away from said assembling station and into a can end forming station, and instrumentalities associated with said transfer means and located at said latter station for forming a can end from said single blank.

8. An organized apparatus for making multipart can ends comprising feeding devices for simultaneously conveying a pair of sheet material blank sections in parallel paths and with a step by step movement through a series of operating stations, means associated with one of said stations for simultaneously aligning said blank sections and for trimming their opposed marginal edges, die means associated with another of said stations for simultaneously notching the trimmed edges of said blank sections, edging means associated with one of said stations for angularly bending said trimmed and notched edges in opposite directions for interlocking engagement, means at another of said stations for interlocking said edges, elements also at said last mentioned station for permanently locking said interlocked edges and uniting the blank sections into a single blank, transfer means for further advancing said blank, and can end forming instrumentalities for forming a can end from said blank.

9. In an organized apparatus for making multipart can ends the combination of edging means for forming oppositely disposed hooks on a marginal edge of each of two sheet material blank sections, means for arranging said blank sections with said hooked marginal edges opposite each other at an assembling station, lifting devices at said assembling station for vertically elevating said blank sections one above the other, crossslides associated with said. lifting devices for transversely moving said blank sections one beneath the other in lapped position and for interlocking said hooked edges, gauging means cooperating with said cross-slides for properly locating said interlocked edges, bumping elements associated with said assembling station for uniting said interlocked edges and for permanently joining said blank sections into a single blank, transfer means for moving said blank away from said assembling station, and instrumentalities associated with said transfer means for forming a can end from said blank.

10. In an organized apparatus for making multi-part can ends the combination of feeding devices for conveying two separate sheet material blank sections having hook flanges to an assembling station, elements at said assembling station for uniting marginal edges of said blank sections to join them into a single blank, transfer means for moving said blank away from said assembling station and into a forming station, guiding means for aligning said blank at said forming station, can end forming instrumentalities also at said forming station for cutting out and forming a can end from said blank, clamping means for holding said blank in cutting and forming position and after a formed can end is cut and removed for then removing the remaining scrap skeleton, and ejecting means associated with said clamping means for ejecting the said scrap therefrom.

11. The method of making can ends which comprises bringing together in edge to edge relation a plurality of sheet material blank sections,

interlocking adjacent marginal edges of said blank sections to form a single fiat blank having radial joints of more than two thicknesses of sheet metal to strengthen the blank against bending, and producing a can end of substantially single thickness from said blank.

12. The method of making substantially flat multi-part can ends which comprises shaping a marginal edge of each of a plurality of flat sheet material blank sections for interlocking engagement along a substantially straight line,interlocking said shaped edges, conjoining said interlocked shaped edges for uniting said blank sections into a single flat blank having radial joints of four thicknesses of sheet metal to strengthen,

the blank against bending, and forming a can end of substantially single thickness from said blank.

13. An organized apparatus for making substantially flat multi-part can. ends comprising a 

